THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

GIFT  OF 

Mrs.  Marion  Randall  Parsons 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 


THE  MACMILLAN  COMPANY 

NEW  YORK   •  BOSTON  •   CHICAGO   •  DALLAS 
ATLANTA   •   SAN  FRANCISCO 

MACMILLAN  &  CO.,  LIMITED 

LONDON  •  BOMBAY   •  CALCUTTA 
MELBOURNE 

THE  MACMILLAN  CO.  OF  CANADA,  LTD. 

TORONTO 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 


A  PLAY  IN  ONE  ACT  AND  THREE  SCENES 


BY 
HERMANN  HAGEDORN 

AUTHOR   OP    "  FACES   IN   THE   DAWN."   ETC. 


fork 
THE  MACMILLAN  COMPANY 

1914 

All  rights  reserved 


COPYRIGHT,  1914 

BY  HERMANN  HAGEDORN 

Set  up  and  electrotyped.    Published  November,  1914. 

This  play  has  been  copyrighted  and  published  simultaneously  in  the  United 
States  and  Great  Britain.  All  acting  rights,  both  professional  and  amateur,  are 
reserved  in  the  United  States,  Great  Britain,  and  countries  of  the  Copyright 
Union,  by  Hermann  Hagedorn.  Performances  forbidden  and  right  of  representa 
tion  reserved.  Application  for  the  right  of  performing  this  piece  must  be  made 
to  The  Macmillan  Company.  Any  piracy  or  infringement  will  be  prosecuted  in 
accordance  with  the  penalties  provided  by  the  United  States  Statutes: 

"  Sec.  4966.  Any  person  publicly  performing  or  representing  any  dramatic  or 
musical  composition,  for  which  copyright  has  been  obtained,  without  the  consent 
of  the  proprietor  of  the  said  dramatic  or  musical  composition,  or  his  heirs  or  as 
signs,  shall  be  liable  for  damages  therefor,  such  damages  in  all  cases  to  be  assessed 
at  such  sum,  not  less  than  one  hundred  dollars  for  the  first  and  fifty  dollars  for 
every  subsequent  performance,  as  to  the  Court  shall  appear  to  be  just.  If  the 
unlawful  performance  and  representation  be  willful  and  for  profit,  such  person  or 
persons  shall  be  guilty  of  a  misdemeanor,  and  upon  conviction  be  imprisoned  for 
a  period  not  exceeding  one  year."  U.  S.  Revised  Statutes,  Title  60,  Chap.  3. 


GIFT 


TO 
ADOLF  GUNTHEE  HAGEDOEN 


M816837 


NIGHT!    And  a  black  and  barren  sky 
With  a  wet  wind  in  from  the  coast. 
And  only  the  kites  to  make  reply 
To  heaving  body  and  pleading  cry — 
Here  where  the  lost  battalions  lie, 
I  walked  last  night  with  a  ghost. 

His  face  was  gray,  his  hands  were  red, 

And  a  ghostly  mare  he  rode, 
That  wearily  stepped,  with  drooping  head, 
Over  the  shadowy  lines  of  dead, 
And  rolled  her  eyes,  and  shook  with  dread 

Under  her  foam-white  load. 

The  ghost  turned  not  to  left  or  right, 

But  mutely  he  beckoned  me, 
And  moved  like  a  pillar  of  livid  light 
Through  the  humid  dark  of  the  foggy  night, 
With  eyes  deep-sunken  and  greenly  bright 

As  phosphor  on  the  sea. 

He  led  me  where  in  ghostly  files 

The  dead  slept  with  their  toys. 
Miles,  miles,  and  never-ending  miles, 
Along  the  valley's  mournful  aisles, 
The  voiceless,  vague,  misshapen  piles 

Of  men  and  golden  boys! 

He  led  me  up  the  gory  hill 

By  wood  and  sodden  heath. 
Ravage!    And  faces,  lone  and  chill, 
In  the  murmuring  wash  of  the  willow-rill! 
Slaughter!    And  voices,  begging  shrill 

The  merciful  grace  of  death. 

[7] 


A  waning  moon  broke,  sickly  pale, 

Through  the  muddy  fog's  disguising; 
And  over  the  breadth  of  the  ghastly  vale 
The  battle- wake  like  a  steamer's  trail, 
And  a  heaving  as  of  waves  in  a  gale, 
Rising  and  falling  and  rising! 

And  out  of  the  air,  and  up  from  the  plain, 

The  ancient  battle-story! — 
Of  stricken  love  and  laughter  slain, 
And  hearts  beneath  the  hoofs  of  pain — 
But  not  a  breath  of  human  gain, 

And  not  a  word  of  glory. 


[8] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 


[9] 


CHARACTERS 

In  the  Capital  of  Iberia: 

THE  KING 

THE   PRIME   MINISTER 

THE   MINISTER   OF   WAR 

THE   CHIEF   OF   STAFF 

A   SECRETARY 

OFFICERS 

In  the  Capital  of  the  Republic: 

GROSVENOR,  a  contractor 
CONROY,  a  manufacturer  of  guns 
POLLEN,  owner  of  a  chain  of  newspapers 

SENATOR  TANEY 

SENATOR   HARRADAN 

REPRESENTATIVE   MAYNARD 

A   GENERAL   IN   THE   ARMY 

A   CAPTAIN 

CROWD 

PAGE 

In  costuming  this  play,  it  is  essential  that  the  uniforms  of 
the  Iberian  officers  in  the  first  scene  should  not  be  conspicu 
ously  copied  after  those  of  any  of  the  armies  of  Europe.  A 
compromise,  grotesque  to  the  expert,  would  be  better  here  than 
a  misleading  realism. 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

SCENE  I 

A  room  in  the  Ministry  of  War  in  the  capital  of 
Iberia. 
Evening. 

The  MINISTER  OF  WAR,  a  tall,  stern,  bearded  man 
with  deep-set  eyes  and  many  furrows,  is  sitting 
at  a  large,  mahogany  desk-table,  Left. 
The  CHIEF  OF  STAFF,  silent,  motionless  and  watch 
ful,  stands  beside  him  with  his  hands  resting  on 
the  table-top.  He  is  thin,  old  and  emaciated, 
clean-shaven,  firm-lipped,  and  looks  startlingly 
like  a  bird  of  prey.  Right,  stands  a  group  of 
generals  and  other  officers. 

MINISTER   OF   WAR 

[Rising  and  speaking  in  a  sharp,  crisp 
bass  voice. 

I  can  only  repeat,  gentlemen,  what  his  Ex 
cellency,  the  Chief  of  Staff,  has  already  made 
clear  to  you.    Nothing  has  been  decided.    You 
have  your  orders  in  your  pockets.    There  may 
[13] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

be  war  and  there  may  not  be  war.  I  under 
stand,  gentlemen,  your  natural  impatience  once 
more  to  draw  the  naked  steel  for  the  glory  of 
our  country,  and  you  may  rest  assured  that  his 
gracious  majesty,  the  King,  will  not  forget  that 
his  fame  and  the  happiness  of  his  people  rests 
ultimately  in  your  hands.  Personally,  as  a  man 
of  family  and  as  a  Christian,  I  hope  to  God  that 
peace  may  be  preserved.  But  if  God  wills 
that  our  enemy,  by  his  insolence,  forces  us  to 
draw  the  sword,  I  know  that  you  will  wield  it 
with  honor  and  will  not  sheathe  it  until  our 
enemy  is  crushed,  root  and  branch,  stock  and 
barrel,  and  brought  so  low  that  he  will  never 
raise  his  head  again  in  dishonorable  defiance 
of  our  holy  rights. 

[The  OFFICERS  shout  with  enthusiasm, 
lifting  their  helmets  in  air.  The  MIN 
ISTER  OF  WAR  sits  down  again. 

That  is  all,  gentlemen. 

[With  a  grim  smile. 

But  I  recommend  that  you  do  not  send  your 
service  uniforms  to  the  tailor  tonight.  You 
may  have  need  of  them. 

[There  is  another  cheer.     The  OFFICERS 
stand  about  in  groups  a  minute  or  so, 
[14] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

then  file  out  through  the  double-door  in 
the  centre  of  the  rear  wall.  One  elderly 
general,  only,  comes  up  quickly  to  the 
desk. 

GENERAL 

[In  a  rasping  voice,  to  the  CHIEF  OP 

STAFF. 

Delay  again?  Aren't  we  ever  going  to  get  at 
their  throats? 

CHIEF   OF   STAFF 

We  are  ready.    But  the  King! 

[He  shrugs  his  shoulders. 

The  peace  propagandists  are  after  him. 
Mediation  is  the  magic  word.  Mediation — by 
which  the  neutral  nations  block  our  legitimate 
road  to  victory  for  their  own  benefit,  in  the 
name  of  civilization  and  progress. 

GENERAL 

Old  women's  talk. 

[With  a  swagger. 

Give  me  a  sword  in  my  right  hand  again,  I 
say!    I'll  break  open  a  few  skulls  yet,  for  all  my 
sixty  years.     Eh?    Mediation!    Let  those  me 
diate,  I  say,  who  are  afraid  to  fight! 
F151 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

CHIEF   OF   STAFF 

[Calmly,  dispassionately. 

We  are  not  mediating  yet.  You  may  tell  that 
to  your  friends  if  they  become  downhearted. 

GENERAL 

[Saluting. 

To  command,  your  Excellency!  It  is  good 
that  some  one  looks  out  for  the  honor  of  the 
army. 

[Saluting  again. 

Good  night,  gentlemen ! 

[The  MINISTER  OF  WAR  half  rises  and 
bows  slightly.  The  CHIEF  OF  STAFF 
nods.  Exit  the  GENERAL. 

CHIEF  OF  STAFF 

[With  a  flash  in  his  old  eyes. 

Ha!  Once  more  to  have  those  fellows  behind 
me.  Think  of  it!  Each  man  of  them  represents 
fifty  thousand.  And  behind  them  another  mil 
lion  and  another!  God!  What  a  machine  to 
handle. 

[He  slaps  his  forehead. 

And  the  old  brain  working  still! 
[161 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

MINISTER   OF   WAR 

[Rising  and  crossing  to  a  window,  right 
forward,  then  speaking  thoughtfully. 

I  don't  know,  Clement.  I  am  growing  old. 
I  think  sometimes  that  war  is  the  most  terrible 
matter  in  which  we  erring  humans  become 
engaged.  I  have  always  thought  that — at 
times. 

CHIEF   OF   STAFF 

[Who  has  crossed  to  the  Left  and  stands 
facing  a  map  of  the  world,  covering  half 
the  wall. 

So  you  are  a  sentimentalist,  after  all? 

MINISTER   OF   WAR 

[Looking  out  of  the  window. 

No.  Because  there  is  something  stronger  in 
me,  conquering  the  repulsion.  My  tempera 
ment,  character,  destiny.  I  am  impelled  to 
war.  A  dozen  generations  of  soldiers  in  my 
blood  press  me  on.  My  whole  education  presses 
me  on.  My  sympathies  and  my  religious  sense 
make  me  tremble  before  the  impending  horror, 
but — I  confess  to  you — I  believe  I  want  this 
war. 

[17] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

CHIEF   OF   STAFF 

[Without  turning. 

So  do  we  all.  War  is  the  soldier's  work.  And 
he  does  not  want  to  play  all  his  life.  Look. 
We  land  here  and  here  and  here. 

[He  indicates  places  on  the  map  with  a 
paper-cutter,  speaking  with  growing  ex 
citement. 

No  defenses,  except  at  this  place — a  masonry 
fort  built  thirty  years  ago.  Bad  cement,  more 
over.  Fraudulent  contractor.  Then 

MINISTER    OF   WAR 

[Returning  to  his  desk,  resolutely. 

No,  you  old  hawk,  we're  not  going  to  do  it. 
We'll  be  content  to  settle  ourselves  in  peaceful 
graves,  you  and  I  and  the  old  Chief.  No  war, 
no  war! 

CHIEF   OF   STAFF 

[Calmly. 

That  is  sentiment.  Here  is  fact.  We  land 
here  and  here  and  here.  Then  march  down  here 
and  up  there,  uniting  the  armies.  Rich  country. 
I've  never  seen  it,  but  I  know  it  better  than 
any  letter-carrier  in  the  district.  We  live  on  the 
land,  burning  and  pillaging  if  the  inhabitants 
[18] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

don't  give  us  what  we  want.  A  little  dose  will 
tame  them.  We'll  sweep  all  before  us  in  six 
weeks. 

MINISTER  OF  WAR 

[In  mock  protest. 

Stop,  man,  stop!  You  make  me  want  to 
try  it. 

CHIEF   OF   STAFF 

I  can't  stop.  It's  a  game  with  me.  I  play 
it  all  day  in  my  thoughts  and  all  night  I  direct 
campaigns  in  my  dreams.  A  great  game.  Only 
sometimes  I  get  tired  of  playing  it  on  paper, 
and  want  to  hear  the  real  guns  and  see  the  real 
battalions. 

[A  SECRETARY  enters  with  a  message. 

SECRETARY 

[To  Minister  of  War. 

A  message  from  the  King  sent  over  from  the 
Foreign  Office.  The  Prime  Minister  was  not 
there. 

MINISTER   OF   WAR 

Let  me  have  it. 

[He  takes  the  message  and  glances  at  it. 
[19] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

What? 

[With  a  gesture  to  the  Secretary. 
That  will  do. 

[Exit  SECRETARY. 

CHIEF   OF   STAFF 

Well? 

MINISTER   OF  WAR 

[Flaring  up. 

Look  at  this,  look  at  it!  The  King  is  sending 
our  national  honor  to  the  dogs.  He  has  secretly 
resumed  communication  with  the  Ambassador 
of  the  Republic,  instead  of  doing  what  was  nat 
ural  and  constitutional,  sending  the  man  to 
us.  He  is  going  to  compromise.  Pack  up  your 
tin  soldiers,  old  man.  Take  them  home  for 
your  grandchildren  to  play  with.  Our  country 
evidently  has  no  more  use  for  them. 

CHIEF   OF   STAFF 

[With  compressed  lips. 
Show  me. 

[He  takes  the  paper  and  reads  its  con 
tents  aloud. 

"The  King  desires  to  inform  the  Foreign 

[201 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

Office  that,  in  pursuance  of  his  well-known  love 
of  peace,  he  sent  for  the  Ambassador  of  the 
Republic  this  afternoon  and  outlined  a  plan 
that  would  satisfy  the  royal  government  and 
at  the  same  time  yield  certain  points  to  the 
government  of  the  Republic.  The  Ambassador 
was  courteous,  but,  although  acknowledging 
the  generosity  of  the  King's  offer,  regretted  that 
he  was  unable  to  consider  any  compromise 
before  communicating  again  with  his  govern 
ment.  The  King  replied  that  if  his  offers  were 
refused  he  could  then  have  nothing  further  to 
say  in  the  matter,  but  would  have  to  turn  it 
over  entirely  to  his  Ministers. 

"The  King  suggests  to  the  Foreign  Office 
that  these  facts  be  put  before  our  Ambassadors 
abroad,  and,  to  pacify  the  public  mind,  be 
given  at  once  to  the  newspapers." 

My  God,  and  you  want  peace! 

MINISTER   OF  WAR 

[Harshly. 
Well,  how  do  you  like  it? 

CHIEF   OF   STAFF 

He's  backed  down,  he's  backed  down.    All 
the  world  will  be  shouting  tomorrow  how  our 
[21] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

King  has  backed  down.     Christo!    To  accept 
defeat  before  you've  begun  to  fight! 

[He  turns  again  to  the  map. 

If  this  other  plan  should  be  frustrated  by  the 
enemy's  navy,  look,  we  could  land  here  and 

here  and 

[The  door  opens  and  the  PRIME  MINISTER 
enters.  He  is  a  stern,  titanic  figure  in 
the  sixties,  sallow-skinned,  gray-haired. 

PRIME   MINISTER 

[Standing  in  the  doorway. 

Good  evening,  gentlemen.     Counting  your 
battalions? 

CHIEF   OF   STAFF 

[Absorbed. 
And  here,  joining  our  armies  at 

MINISTER   OF   WAR 

Thank  God,  you're  here.    Where  in  sin  have 
you  been? 

PRIME  MINISTER 

Home  on  my  estates,  saying  good-bye  to  my 
family. 

[He  smiles  grimly,  and  with  his  cane 
makes  a  thrust  in  carte  and  tierce. 
[22] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

MINISTER   OF   WAR 

You  think  you  are  going  to  war? 

PRIME   MINISTER 

I  know. 

MINISTER   OF   WAR 

[Taking  up  the  paper  the  CHIEF  OF  STAFF 
has  let  fall  on  the  desk. 

Read  that.    It  came  from  your  office. 

PRIME   MINISTER 

[Takes  it  and  begins  to  read. 
Eh?   The  King?    Mediation  on  his  own  hook? 

[With  growing  anger. 
So?    So?    So? 

[He  lets  the  paper  flutter  to  the  floor. 

Very  good.    He  can  find  a  new  Prime  Minis 
ter.    I  resign. 

CHIEF   OF   STAFF 

[Turning  abruptly. 

No,  you  don't! 

[23] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

MINISTER   OF   WAR 

[Hotly. 

We  stick  together  in  this.  You  are  not  going 
to  resign. 

PRIME   MINISTER 

My  good  friends,  I  am  going  to  resign. 

[He  picks  up  the  paper  off  the  floor. 

Give  me  your  seat  at  the  desk.  On  the  back 
of  this  ignoble  parley,  my  resignation  goes  to 
him. 

MINISTER   OF  WAR 

You  are  the  support  of  the  army.  We  go 
to  the  dogs,  if  you  leave  us. 

PRIME  MINISTER 

[Sitting  at  the  desk. 

So?  "The  King  suggests  to  the  Foreign 
Office  that  these  facts  be  put  before  our  Ambas 
sadors  abroad  and,  to  pacify  the  public  mind, 
be  given  at  once  to  the  newspapers."  He  sug 
gests.  So  do  I  suggest — something  different. 

CHIEF   OF   STAFF 

[In  front  of  the  map  again. 
Three  hundred  thousand  men  here,  turning 
[24] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

the  flank  of  a  possible  army  marching  north 
with  that  ridge  of  mountains  as  a  cover — If  we 
can  only  have  the  chance! 


PRIME   MINISTER 

[Studying  the  message,  suddenly. 
By  Heaven!    If— 

MINISTER   OF   WAR 

What  is  it?    You  look  as  if 


PRIME   MINISTER 

If  nothing!    Bring  me  some  claret  out  of  that 
inexhaustible  cabinet  of  yours. 

[He  draws  his  pen  through  a  section  of 
the  message.  The  MINISTER  OF  WAR 
goes  to  a  cabinet  in  the  rear  wall  and 
brings  forth  a  decanter  of  claret  and 
glasses. 

MINISTER   OF  WAR 

[Pouring  a  glassful  for  the  PRIME  MINIS 
TER. 

Here,  dear  old  Titan. 

[25] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

PRIME   MINISTER 

[Gulping  it  down. 
Thanks.    More.    And  cigars. 

[The  MINISTER  OF  WAR  refills  the  glass 
and  brings  cigars.  The  PRIME  MINISTER 
wreathes  himself  in  smoke. 

CHIEF   OF   STAFF 

[With  his  back  still  turned  to  the  others. 

I  planned  this  campaign  first  some  twenty 
years  ago.  But  there  was  no  navy  then  to 
speak  of,  and  no  airships.  It  is  more  intricate 
now,  but  very  much  more  interesting  as  an 
intellectual  problem. 

PRIME   MINISTER 

[Indicating  his  glass. 
Another,  good  man. 

MINISTER   OF   WAR 

You're  smelling  blood  when  you  drink  like 
that. 

PRIME   MINISTER 

[Turning  to  the  CHIEF  OF  STAFF. 

Here!  You  old  death's  head!  You  are  pre 
pared,  you  say? 

[26] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

CHIEF   OF   STAFF 

[Calmly. 

I  have  been  making  my  plans  for  twenty 
years.  The  present  plans  have  been  complete, 
except  for  slight  revisions,  for  three  years. 

PRIME   MINISTER 

The  army  and  navy  are  fully  equipped? 

MINISTER   OF   WAR 

Down  to  the  last  shoe-string. 

PRIME  MINISTER 
[To  CHIEF  OF  STAFF. 

Would  you  say  it  would  be  better  to  wait  a 
week  or  a  month  or  even  a  year— or  to  strike 
at  once? 

CHIEF   OF   STAFF 

[Firmly  and  quietly. 
Strike  at  once. 

MINISTER   OF   WAR 

You  dreamers,  you  theorists!  How  about 
the  King's  negotiations? 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

PRIME   MINISTER 

[Rising,  with  the  message  in  his  hand. 

Gentlemen,  I  have  seen  fit  to  abbreviate  the 
King's  message.  I  have  not  altered  a  word  nor 
added  a  word.  I  have  merely  omitted  all  that 
did  not  seem  to  me  pertinent  or  useful.  The 
message  reads  as  follows:  "The  King  sent  for 
the  Ambassador  of  the  Republic  this  afternoon 
and  outlined  a  plan  that  would  satisfy  the  royal 
government.  The  Ambassador  regretted  that 
he  was  unable  to  consider  any  compromise. 
The  King  replied  that  then  he  could  have  noth 
ing  more  to  say  in  the  matter." 

MINISTER   OF   WAR 

There's  ginger,  by  Heaven!  The  other  was  a 
dove-peep  to  a  parley.  This  is  a  trumpet  call 
of  defiance. 

CHIEF   OF   STAFF 

[With  quiet  delight. 
The  Republic  will  never  swallow  that. 

PRIME   MINISTER 

They  are  not  supposed  to.    They  will  declare 
war,  and  then  be  the  aggressors. 
[28] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

MINISTER   OF  WAR 

[Exultantly. 

Our  God  of  old  lives  yet  and  will  not  let  us 
perish  in  disgrace! 

CHIEF   OF   STAFF 

[Looking  about. 

My  helmet.  Damn  it !  Where  is  my  helmet? 
I  am  going  to  dig  at  the  plans  once  more.  If 
God  lets  me  lead  the  armies  in  such  a  fight,  the 
devil  can  come  when  I'm  through  and  fetch 
away  the  old  carcass. 

PRIME   MINISTER 
[To  MINISTER  OF  WAR. 

Where's  your  Secretary? 

MINISTER   OF  WAR 

[Crossing  to  door. 

Secretary,  here! 

[SECRETARY  enters. 

PRIME  MINISTER 

[Handing  him  the  paper. 

To  the  telegraph-operator  with  this.     It  is 
[29] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

to  be  sent  to  every  news  bureau  in  the  city  and 
to  all  our  embassies  abroad 


MINISTER   OF   WAR 

Tomorrow,  the  mobilization! 

CHIEF   OF   STAFF 

Tonight!    I  need  those  twelve  hours  for  my 
plans. 

[The  SECRETARY  holds  the  door  open  for 
the  CHIEF  OF  STAFF  who  is  about  to  go 
out  when  suddenly  in  the  doorway  ap 
pears  a  young  man  of  thirty,  pale,  dark, 
timid.  He  hesitates  on  the  threshold. 

SECRETARY 

[Taken  aback,  bowing. 
Your  Majesty! 

CHIEF   OF   STAFF 

[Drawing  back. 
My  King! 

[PRIME    MINISTER    and    MINISTER    OF 
WAR  bow. 

[30] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

KING 

[Courteously. 

I  trust  I  am  not  breaking  in  upon  a  matter 
that  does  not  concern  me? 

PRIME  MINISTER 

There  is  nothing  that  the  King's  servants 
may  do  that  does  not  concern  the  King. 

KING 

True.     But  sometimes  the  King  is  kept  in 
ignorance  nevertheless. 

[To  the  SECRETARY. 

What  paper  is  that  you  have  there,  if  you 
please? 

SECRETARY 

[With  an  uneasy  glance  at  the  others. 
Here,  your  Majesty. 

MINISTER   OF   WAR 

[Aside  to  SECRETARY. 
Get  out! 

[Exit  SECRETARY. 
[311 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

PRIME  MINISTER 

It  is  the  report  of  your  Majesty's  interview 
with  the  Ambassador. 


KING 

[Glancing  at  the  paper  and  speaking  in 
quick,  excited  tones. 

My  message  has  been  altered.  It  was  con 
ciliatory.  It  is  a  challenge  now.  Who  did  this? 

PRIME  MINISTER 

Your  Majesty  sees  the  culprit  before  you. 

KING 
Are  you  trying  to  make  war? 

PRIME  MINISTER 

I  am  trying,  your  Majesty,  to  save  the  coun 
try  from  the  results  of  your  Majesty's  indiscre 
tion  in  calling  the  Ambassador  to  your  palace 
without  consulting  your  Ministers.  If  we  do 
not  strike  now  we  lose  our  prestige  as  a  great 
nation,  our  national  honor  is  dragged  in  the 
dust.  We  have  to  fight.  We  cannot  afford 
to  back  down. 

[32] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

KING 

[Striding  across  the  room,  agitatedly. 

But  this  is  unholy,  barbaric — this  deliberate 
concoction  of  a  great,  terrible  war.  I  saw 
clearly  this  evening  as  I  was  talking  with  the 
Ambassador  how  utterly  without  inner  neces 
sity  this  war-scare  is.  It  is  a  made  thing  from 
beginning  to  end,  and  I  refuse  absolutely  to 
sanction  it. 

CHIEF   OF   STAFF 

[Deliberately. 

Your  Majesty  is  an  idealist.  We  are  prac 
tical,  and,  I  may  say,  far-seeing  men.  And  we 
are  the  three  men,  perhaps,  who  have  given 
your  Majesty  the  chair  you  sit  on  and  made 
your  kingdom  what  it  is. 

KING 
[Drawing  himself  up. 

I  think  I  have  not  been  ungrateful.  But  my 
people  come  first,  and  I  will  not  have  my  people 
plunged  into  misery  for  no  valid  and  inevitable 
necessity. 

PRIME  MINISTER 

Your  Majesty,  I  have  served  you  for  fifteen 
[33] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

years  and  I  served  your  exalted  father  for 
twenty.  You  are  right.  This  war  may  be 
avoided.  In  two  days  this  war-cloud  could  be 
so  utterly  dissipated  that  men  would  laugh 
here  and  in  the  great  Republic  that  for  a  day 
they  had  talked  so  hotly  of  war.  Dissipated. 
For  a  year,  for  two  years.  For  always?  No. 
The  war  must  come  sooner  or  later.  It  is  a 
matter,  in  the  first  place,  of  prestige,  of  national 
honor.  But,  more  emphatically,  it  is  a  question 
of  mathematics,  birth-rate,  death-rate,  revenue, 
taxes,  industries,  imports,  exports. 

[Crossing  to  left. 

There  is  a  map  of  the  world,  your  Majesty. 
This  stretch  of  land  there  we  need  as  a  safety- 
valve.  If  we  get  that  we  are  safe.  If  we  fail 
to  get  it  we  explode.  Not  at  once.  But  sooner 
or  later.  Our  army  and  navy  have  never  been 
in  better  shape.  These  two  gentlemen  can  give 
your  Majesty  their  word  for  that.  But  you 
can  take  mine,  too.  The  enemy's  army  is 
politically  rotten,  and  enfeebled  by  sentimental 
peace  propaganda.  Their  defenses  are  inade 
quate  and  their  navy  likewise.  Those  things 
will  change.  Strike  today — and  they  never 
raise  their  heads  again.  Wait — and  it  is  you 
who  may  be  crushed. 

[34] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

KING 

[Sharply. 

That  is  a  theory.  Not  a  fact.  Ten  years 
may  change  the  aspect  of  things  entirely,  par 
ticularly  if  we  use  those  ten  years  in  prepara 
tions  not  for  war  but  for  peace,  honest  at 
home  and  abroad,  just,  open,  civil,  to  our 
neighbors. 

PRIME  MINISTER 

Your  Majesty,  I  look  farther  than  ten  years, 
farther  than  ten  times  ten  years.  And  I  have 
wrought  for  this  moment,  prepared  for  this 
moment,  this  moment  of  our  strength  and  our 
enemy's  weakness.  I  have  a  right  to  insist 
that  I,  who  have  brought  your  kingdom  thus 
far,  shall  not  have  my  hands  tied  when  the 
moment  for  stern  action  arrives. 

KING 
[With  a  whimsical  smile. 

After  all,  my  good  Prime  Minister,  it  is  my 
kingdom,  you  know. 

PRIME  MINISTER 

[Moved. 

Your  Majesty  knows  that  what  I  have  done 
[351 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

I  have  done  for  your  glory.  The  liberals  have 
cursed  me  for  a  reactionary  through  the  length 
and  breadth  of  the  kingdom;  because  I  served 
you,  and  served  you  in  all  love  and  devotion. 

KING 

I  know  your  devotion.  But  give  me  a  fresh 
example  of  it.  Keep  my  kingdom  at  peace 
with  the  world. 

PRIME  MINISTER 

That  I  cannot  do. 

KING 

You  cannot?    You  will  not. 

PRIME  MINISTER 

I  could  not  face  my  conscience,  or  make  my 
peace  with  God,  if  I  weakened  now  and  allowed 
the  golden  opportunity  to  pass  by.  For  your 
Majesty's  sake  as  well  as  for  our  country's. 

KING 
For  mine? 

PRIME  MINISTER 

Your  Majesty  has  forgotten  that  your  throne 
[36] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

was  built  by  war  and  rests  on  force.  Force  only, 
military  prestige  only,  can  uphold  you.  The 
rebels  of  labor  have  crept  close  to  your  throne 
now.  Ten  more  years  of  peace,  and  you  are 
cast  out  overnight,  to  wander  over  Europe,  a 
homeless  absurdity,  a  king  without  a  chair  to 
sit  on. 

KING 

[With  flashing  eyes. 
We  shall  see! 

PRIME  MINISTER 

[Quietly. 

May  I  ask  your  Majesty  in  all  humility  and 
devotion  to  give  me  back  that  slip  of  paper? 

KING 

You  have  thought  of  our  national  honor, 
our  prestige,  our  commercial  growth,  our 
dynastic  life.  Have  you  given  no  thought  at 
all  to  the  men  you  send  to  death  to  purchase 
these? 

PRIME  MINISTER 

A  man  has  no  higher  privilege  than  to  die  for 
his  country.    I  beg  your  Majesty — the  paper? 
[37] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

KING 

[Tearing  the  paper  once  across. 
And  the  women? 

PRIME  MINISTER 

[Grimly. 

We'll  find  them  new  husbands,  your  Maj 
esty.  The  paper,  if  you  please. 

KING 

[Tearing  the  paper  into  shreds. 
I  forbid  this  war! 

PRIME  MINISTER 

[With  controlled  anger. 

My  God,  your  Majesty!  You  are  letting  a 
sentiment  master  you.  There  are  worse  things 
than  war.  There  are  possibilities  in  peace  in 
finitely  worse  than  any  war,  or  there  would  be 
no  war.  War  may  kill  a  million  bodies,  but  a 
wicked  peace  can  snuff  out  unnumbered  souls! 


KING 

will  take  my  chances  with  peace, 
r  2ft  i 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

MINISTER   OF   WAR 

It  is  for  you  we  are  fighting,  your  Majesty, 
but  not  for  you  only,  not  for  your  glory  only 
and  the  permanence  of  your  House,  but  for 
the  permanence  of  the  monarchical  principle, 
which  we  know  is  better  and  higher  than  the 
principle  of  democracy,  since  it  is  the  earthly 
symbol  of  God's  singleness  of  rule,  and  comes 
direct  from  God. 

CHIEF    OF   STAFF 

[Coolly. 
Moreover,  your  Majesty,  it  works! 

KING 

This  is  a  matter  of  war  and  peace,  not  a 
matter  of  monarchy  or  democracy. 

PRIME   MINISTER 

Your  Majesty  does  not  see  far  enough.  Give 
us  war,  and  we  keep  our  monarchy.  Give  us 
peace,  and  we  plunge  within  ten  years  into  the 
rapids  of  revolution  and  democracy. 

KING 
[Simply. 

I  will  take  my  chances  with  peace. 
[39] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

PRIME  MINISTER 

[Stern  and  cold. 

Very  good,  your  Majesty.     Then  you  may 
paddle  your  bark  alone.    I  resign. 

MINISTER   OF   WAR 

And  I  resign! 

CHIEF  OF  STAFF 

And  I! 

KING 

[Crossing  to  the  window,  where  he  stands 
with  his  back  turned  to  the  others.  His 
voice  is  uncertain. 

I  did  not  expect  that  of  you. 

PRIME  MINISTER 

[Moved. 

Oh,  your  Majesty!    You  know  what  my  love 
has  been 

KING 
[Turning. 

Half  the  country  will  fall  from  me  if  you 
three  desert  me. 

[40] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

PRIME  MINISTER 

It  is  not  desertion,  your  Majesty.  It  is 
loyalty  to  something  even  higher  than  the 
King,  the  principle  that  makes  him  King. 

KING 

[Perplexed. 

Perhaps  I  am  wrong.  Perhaps  I  am  senti 
mental 

MINISTER   OF  WAR 

[Gently. 

Your  Majesty  is  humane,  but  perhaps  a 
deeper  humanity  demands  a  hardening  of  the 
heart  sometimes. 

KING 

[To  MINISTER  OF  WAR. 

But  you  always  detested  war.  You  called 
yourself  my  Minister  not  of  War,  but  of  Peace. 

MINISTER  OF  WAR 

[Rigidly. 

When  the  honor  of  our  country  is  at  stake — 
[41] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

KING 

[Impatiently. 
But  nobody  is  attacking  our  honor! 

PRIME   MINISTER 

[Bluntly. 

The  case  is  as  I  said.  We  need  this  war,  and 
we  must  have  it. 

KING 
[Torn  by  his  conflicting  desires. 

I  cannot  let  you  resign.  There  is  no  one 
else  I  can  trust  as  I  trust  you  three.  But  not 
war,  not  war! 

PRIME   MINISTER 

I  am  a  lover  of  peace,  but  the  time  has  come 
when  we  must  have  war. 

MINISTER   OF   WAR 

It  is  our  sacred  duty,  your  Majesty,  to  draw 
our  swords  for  light  and  justice  when  God  calls ! 

CHIEF  OF  STAFF 

And  God  has  always  been  with  us.  God  will 
be  with  us  now! 

[42] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

KING 

[White  and  tense. 

You  are  three  strong  men  against  me.  I 
want  peace,  but  I  am  helpless  without  you 
three.  For  I  am  an  anachronism.  Not  nature 
but  human  force,  fighting  against  nature,  keeps 
me  on  my  throne.  If  you  must  have  war,  have 
it.  But  I  tell  you  this:  God  has  no  part  in  it. 
Leave  God  out  of  the  game! 

[He  sinks  into  the  chair  by  the  desk. 

PRIME   MINISTER 
[To  MINISTER  OF  WAR. 

Call  your  Secretary! 

[MINISTER  OF  WAR  goes  to  the  door. 

The    SECRETARY    enters.      The   PRIME 

MINISTER   takes    a    paper    out    of   his 

pocket. 

Here.  It  is  a  copy  of  the  message  I  directed 
you  to  send  to  the  news  bureaus  and  embassies. 
Transmit  it  at  once. 

[The   SECRETARY   bows  and  goes  out. 

The  KING  falls  forward  on  the  desk, 

sobbing.    At  his  side,  straight  and  stern, 
[43] 


MAKERS   OF  MADNESS 

the    PRIME  MINISTER  stands.      To  MIN 
ISTER  OF  WAR. 

Give  orders  for  immediate  mobilization. 
[The  stage  is  slowly  darkened. 


[44 


SCENE  II 

As  the  lights  rise  again  they  reveal  a  small,  com 
fortably  furnished  clubroom,  with  a  wide  window 
opening  on  a  balcony  in  the  back,  and  doors  right 
and  left.  It  is  evening  and  the  electric  lamps  are 

lit. 

GROSVENOR,  a  man  of  fifty-odd,  large,  sleek, 
unctuous,  well-groomed,  is  discovered  in  an  arm 
chair,  surrounded  by  newspapers.  He  glances 
with  feverish  interest  at  one  after  the  other.  A 
cheer  is  heard  outside,  then  the  sound  of  fifes 
and  drums.  He  rises  excitedly  and  throws  open 
the  French  window.  The  tramp,  tramp  of  a 
regiment  is  heard.  TWO  OFFICERS  in  uniform9 
a  GENERAL  and  a  CAPTAIN,  enter  left. 


GENERAL 

[A  strongly-built  man  in  middle  age, 
with  a  firm,  resolute  face. 

Evening,  Grosvenor.    Not  poaching  on  your 
[45] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

rights  if  we  come  in  here  a  minute?    The  other 
windows  were  crowded. 


GROSVENOR 

Not  at  all,  General,  not  at  all.  We're  all 
making  way  for  the  khaki  today,  sir.  And 
proud  to  have  the  chance. 

[With  overdone  politeness  to  the  Captain, 
a  handsome  man  of  the  romantic  type. 

Take  my  place,  Captain. 

CAPTAIN 

Thanks.  Great  tune  that,  eh?  Stirs  up  a 
man's  vitals,  eh? 

GROSVENOR 

Yes,  indeed;  yes,  indeed. 

CAPTAIN 

Wait  till  we  put  that  into  the  repertory  of 
the  enemy's  bandmasters. 

[Leaning  out  of  the  window. 
Come.    They're  a  fine-looking  lot,  eh? 
[46] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

GENERAL 

Fine!  Fine!  The  pick  of  the  land.  Fighters 
to  a  finish,  every  one  of  'em. 

CAPTAIN 

And  say,  but  they're  thanking  God  tonight 
for  the  war-scare  that's  brought  'em  back  from 
manoeuvres. 

GROSVENOR 

[Eagerly. 
They  are,  eh? 

CAPTAIN 

Manoeuvres  are  too  tame.  They're  crazy 
to  get  into  a  real  fight. 

GROSVENOR 

[In  excited,  subdued  tones. 
Then  you  think — there'll  be  war? 

GENERAL 

[Turning. 

The  President  expects  to  hear  from  our  Am 
bassador  any  minute  about  the  private  inter- 
[47] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

view  he  wired  he  was  about  to  have  with  the 
King. 

GROSVENOR 

[Taking  up  the  papers. 
Seen  the  latest? 

GENERAL 

[Picking  out  one  paper  ivith  a  particu 
larly  flaring  headline. 

"Iberia  planning  secret  attack,"  eh?  That 
man  Pollen  knows  more  things  that  aren't  so 
than  a  college  graduate. 

CAPTAIN 
[Taking  another  paper. 

He's  entertaining  enough,  though.  I  daresay 
he  has  some  influence. 

GROSVENOR 

I  pray  to  God  that  we  may  keep  peace,  but 
we  must  not  let  ourselves  be  walked  over — we 
must  not 

CAPTAIN 
[Laughing. 

Exactly.    The  nation  is  at  last  to  see  what  it 
[48] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

spends  its  army  and  navy  appropriations  for. 
Eh? 

GENERAL 

No  sane  man  wants  war,  but  if 

CAPTAIN 

I'm  sane.  And  I  want  war.  I  want  to  go 
out  and  help  lambaste  those  infernally  cock 
sure  armies  of  that  jelly-and-cream  King. 
We've  parleyed  long  enough.  Now  we'll  fight. 
Force  is  the  only  convincing  argument  after  all. 

GROSVENOR 

As  our  Master  said,  "  I  bring  a  sword  " 

GENERAL 

[At  the  window  again. 

Fine  fellows  those.  Look  at  that  boy  there, 
third  from  the  end.  And  that  lieutenant. 
Strapping,  wonderful  fellows  —  with  brains ! 
That's  the  great  thing.  Give  me  five  hundred 
thousand  of  those  and  I'll  hold  off  all  comers. 

GROSVENOR 

[With  nervous  acuteness. 

How  long  d'ye  think  it'll  last? 
[491 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

GENERAL 

Six  months.    Maybe  a  year. 

GROSVENOR 

[Tentatively. 
You  couldn't,  I  suppose — say — more  exactly? 

GENERAL 

[With  a  glance  of  suspicion. 
How  should  I — before  it's  even  begun? 

GROSVENOR 

[Hastily. 
Oh — er — just  a  matter  of  curiosity. 

CAPTAIN 
[Laughing. 

At  any  rate,  we'll  be  back  in  time  for  the 
next  presidential  election.  We're  coming  back 
with  the  General  on  our  shoulders,  and  when 
we  drop  him  it'll  be  through  the  skylight  of  the 
President's  house. 

GENERAL 

[Self-consciously. 

Don't  talk  nonsense. 

[50] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

CAPTAIN 

There's  nothing  like  a  war  to  make  a  man 
President. 

[At  window. 

More  and  more  and  more  of  'em.  Bully 
lines.  Not  natty  enough  to  be  a  joke,  just 
straight  and  trim.  Those  fellows  '11  carry  you 
into  the  presidency,  General,  if  anyone  can. 
A  few  of  'em  '11  have  to  choke  first,  but  that's 
fisherman's  luck. 

GENERAL 

[Turning. 
That'll  do,  Dave. 

[A  PAGE  enters  Right. 

PAGE 

[Crossing  the  room. 
Mr.  Grosvenor?    Mr.  Grosvenor? 

GROSVENOR 

[Eagerly. 
Here. 

PAGE 

[Handing  him  a  telegram. 
Any  answer?  * 

[si] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

GROSVENOB 

Wait. 

CAPTAIN 

[Still  watching  the  soldiers. 

They  are  happy. 

[Pause. 

I  wonder  which  of  'em  '11  come  back,  and 
which  won't. 

GROSVENOB 

[Who  has  torn  open  the  yellow  envelope, 
sinks  back  in  his  chair.  To  PAGE. 

No  answer. 

[He  mops  his  brow  in  utter  dejection. 
The  officers  by  the  window  do  not  see 
him  as  he  studies  the  telegram  and 
studies  it  again  as  though  he  could  not 
believe  his  eyes. 

CAPTAIN 

[Turning. 
Any  news,  Mr.  Grosvenor? 

GBOSVENOB 

[Thickly. 

A  plot,  a  damned  Stock  Exchange  plot. 
[He  hands  the  CAPTAIN  the  message. 
[521 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

CAPTAIN 

[After  a  glance  at  the  message. 
Hello!    Say,  General,  look  at  this. 

GENERAL 

[Turning. 
What's  up? 

CAPTAIN 

The  State  Department  has  just  had  news 
from  our  Ambassador  to  Iberia.  Delightful 
interview  with  the  King.  Evident  willingness 
to  meet  us  half  way. 

GENERAL 

[Coolly. 
Is  this  straight?    It  sounds  fishy. 

CAPTAIN 

They're  trying  to  gain  time.  I  don't  be 
lieve  it. 

GROSVENOR 

It's  a  damned  plot. 

GENERAL 

Looks  to  me  like  a  blind  to  stop  our  prepara- 

[531 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

tions.    I'm  going  over  to  the  War  Department. 
Coming,  Captain? 

CAPTAIN 

It's  that  crafty  Prime  Minister  over  there 
playing  us  tricks,  eh? 

GROSVENOB 

[Hotly. 
It's  a  plot! 

GENERAL 

Something's  queer!    Good  night,  Grosvenor! 

GROSVENOR 

[Effusively. 

Good  night,  General,  good  night.     God  be 
with  us  all  in  these  dark  days,  I  say! 

GENERAL 

[Solemnly. 
Amen  to  that! 

CAPTAIN 

[Saluting  carelessly. 
Good  night. 

[54] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

GROSVENOR 

Good  night,  good  night. 

[The  OFFICERS  go  out.  GROSVENOR 
strides  excitedly  up  and  down. 

It's  a  plot,  it's  a  damned  plot— 

[He  goes  toward  the  rear  and  picks  up 
a  telephone  instrument  on  a  desk  by  the 
window. 

Can  you  get  me  the  House?  Mr.  Maynard. 
Yes.  Making  a  speech?  Never  mind. 

[He  hangs  up  the  receiver  and  presses 
a  button  on  the  wall.  Then  he  quickly 
writes  a  message  on  the  back  of  the  tele 
gram  and  encloses  it  in  an  envelope. 
The  PAGE  enters. 

PAGE 
Ring,  sir? 

GROSVENOR 

Yes.  Take  this  to  the  House  at  once.  To 
Mr.  Maynard.  See  that  he  gets  it  himself. 
Here's  a  dollar. 

PAGE 

[Touching  his  cap. 
Thank  you,  sir. 
[Exit. 

F551 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

GROSVENOR 

[Taking  up  the  telephone  again. 

Give  me  the  Senate.    Mr.  Taney.    Saw  him 
go  out? 

[He  hangs  up  the  receiver  impatiently. 
Isn't  anyone  on  the  job? 

[He  strides  up  and  down. 
A  damned  plot! 

[Enter,  right,  hurriedly,  SENATOR  TANEY, 
a  stout,  red-haired  man,  clean-shaven. 

TANEY 
[Puffing. 

Hello,  Grosvenor. 

GROSVENOR 

Thank  God,  you're  here. 

TANEY 

Only  got  a  minute.   Hell's  loose  in  the  Senate. 

GROSVENOR 

I've  been  nearly  crazy  waiting  for  news. 
[56] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

TANEY 

God,  man.  Perhaps  you  think  I  ain't  been 
busy  rounding  up  a  lot  of  on-the-fence-men? 
It  seems  to  me  pretty  nearly  everybody  was 
on  the  fence.  No  decided  opinions  at  all.  But 
they're  coming,  they're  coming. 

GROSVENOR 

How  'bout  that  report  about  the  King  over 
there  wanting  peace? 

TANEY 

That's  what  the  row's  about.  The  highbrows 
an'  the  peace  people  are  shouting  hurrahs  all 
over  the  place,  an'  the  rest  of  us  has  to  do  what 
we  can  to  drown  'em  out. 

GROSVENOR 

[Restlessly  moving  about  the  room. 

If  it's  true  about  the  King,  can  you— work 
it — anyway? 

TANEY 
How  do  I  know? 

GROSVENOR 

Got  any  figures?    For  or  against? 
[57] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

TANEY 

Yes.    It's  about  an  even  go. 

GROSVENOR 

[Disappointed. 
You  can't  give  me  anything  more  definite? 

TANEY 
What's  up,  anyway?    You  look  nervous. 

GROSVENOR 

I  am.  This  business  is  cutting  into  my  sleep. 
My  last  cent  is  tied  up,  and  I've  got  a  good 
many  other  people's  last  cents  as  well.  Damn 
it,  Taney,  this  is  worse  than  Monte  Carlo. 
You're  dealing  with  cold-blooded  chance  there, 
but  here  you're  dealing  with  sentiments,  emo 
tions.  It's  exhausting.  War  is  a  terrible  thing, 
Taney.  It  worries  me  day  and  night.  Think 
of  the  lives!  And  yet  we  need  this  war,  we  need 
it  for  the  good  of  the  nation.  And  now  that 
we're  ready,  it  would  be  a  calamity  if 

TANEY 

[Turning  to  go. 

Don't  you  worry  about  that. 
[581 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

GROSVENOR 

[Nervously. 
How's  the  House  going? 

TANEY 

Don't  know  anything  about  the  House.  But 
I  guess  your  man  Maynard  is  doing  his  job. 
I'm  off  to  see  Cottrell.  Another  man  that 
wants  news.  Be  back  in  ten  minutes. 

GROSVENOR 

Keep  me  posted,  for  God's  sake.  You  know 
— I'm  not  ungrateful.  You  shan't  lose  by 
your  efforts,  Taney.  You  know  I'm  a  liberal 
man. 

TANEY 

[Quietly,  but  with  emphasis. 
Look  here.  You're  not  Conroy  and  you're 
not  Pollen.  They're  the  whales  in  this  pond. 
You're  only  a  nervous  minnow.  I'm  working 
with  bigger  men  than  you.  And  perhaps  I've 
got  some  convictions  of  my  own,  had  'em  for 
years.  If  I  hadn't,  no  money  of  yours  would 
buy  me.  I  believe  the  people  want  this  war  to 
settle  once  and  for  all  whether  that  wishy- 
washy  King  or  us  is  going  to  direct  the  universe, 
[59] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

and  if  the  people  want  it,  it's  my  business  to 
see  that  they  get  it.  If  that  means  any  money 
in  your  pocket,  it's  none  of  my  business.  But 
I'm  not  your  slave,  Grosvenor.  And  don't 
you  forget  it. 

GROSVENOR 

You'll  keep  me  posted?  If  anything  goes 
wrong,  I've  got  to  have  time  to  get  from  under. 
You'll  surely  keep  me  posted? 

TANEY 

Get  your  man  Maynard  on  the  string.  I'm 
hanged  if  I'll  be  your  office  boy. 

GROSVENOR 

[Beseechingly. 
Taney- 

[TANEY  goes  out.  GROSVENOR  takes  a 
step  toward  the  door,  stops,  and  drawing 
a  cigar  from  his  pocket,  begins  chew 
ing  the  end  nervously.  Then  he  turns 
quickly,  and  crossing  to  the  right,  picks 
up  the  telephone  instrument  again. 
Office  of  the  "Morning  Bulletin,"  please. 

[Pause. 
[60] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

Mr.  Pollen,  please.  Out?  This  is  Mr. 
Grosvenor.  On  his  way  to  the  Club?  Thanks. 

[MR.  CONROY  enters,  right.  He  is  a 
short,  stockily-built  man  with  a  bellig 
erent  chin  covered  by  a  close-cropped, 
grizzled  beard. 

CONROY 
Hello,  Grosvenor. 

[With  a  sharp  glance  and  not  entirely 
pleasant  smile. 

I  might  have  known  that  I'd  find  you  on  the 
job.  What  is  it  this  time — canned  goods,  uni 
forms,  hospital  supplies — or  just  general  en 
thusiasm? 

GROSVENOR 

A  little  business,  but  mainly  enthusiasm.  A 
great  time  to  be  alive,  Conroy!  Any  news? 

CONROY 

Maynard's  making  a  rousing  speech.  Spread 
eagle.  Our  honor  as  a  nation.  The  dearest, 
sweetest  flag  that  ever  waved  over  a  noble, 
invincible  people.  Damned  rot.  But  the 
brethren  from  the  rural  districts  lap  it  up  like 
[61] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

cider  in  October.    He's  gaining  votes.    Protege 
of  yours,  ain't  he? 

GROSVENOR 

Yes.  Used  to  be  my  office  boy.  Clever 
chap.  Has  a  sensible  view  of  things.  Realizes 
that  our  national  honor  and  our  property  must 
be  defended  at  all  hazards. 

CONROY 

[Sitting  down  at  the  desk  and  beginning 
to  write.     With  a  cynical  laugh. 

You  mean  property.  You  don't  give  a  damn 
about  national  honor.  You  know  you  don't. 
What's  the  use  of  trying  to  fool  me? 

GROSVENOR 

Conroy,  do  you  mean  to  impugn  my  patriotic 
motives? 

CONROY 

[Without  looking  up,  good-naturedly. 

Grosvenor,  we've  known  each  other  thirty 
years.  I  don't  try  to  bluff  you  because  I  know 
that  you  know  too  much  about  me.  You  made 
the  beginnings  of  your  pile  out  of  one  big  war 
and  you've  been  playing  up  a  lot  of  little  re- 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

publics  against  each  other  ever  since,  harvest 
ing  a  neat  little  fortune  every  time.  Now  it's 
a  real  world-war  you're  after.  If  it  comes,  you're 
made,  if  it  don't,  you're  broke.  It's  a  cinch. 
Mind  you,  I'm  not  throwing  stones.  Only 
I  don't  want  you  to  think  you  can  pull  the 
noble  patriotic  guff  on  me. 

GROSVENOR 

I  have  certain  investments,  of  course,  which 
might  possibly  be  promoted  by  a  war.  But  I 
am  not  thinking  of  that.  I  am  thinking  of  the 
honor  of  my  country,  that  honor  which  has 
never  yet  been  stained,  and  shall  not  be  stained 
if  I  can  do  aught  by  my  own  efforts  and  by  my 
prayers  to  God,  to  keep  it  pure. 

CONROY 
[Rising. 

You  carry  it  off  well.  I  couldn't  bluff  the 
way  you  can.  I  haven't  your  religious  feeling. 
I  know  why  I  want  war.  It's  because  I'm  a 
manufacturer  of  guns.  Everybody  knows  my 
business,  and  they  know  that  if  there  wasn't 
war  or  a  fear  of  war  constantly,  I  and  my  wife 
and  children  would  starve.  War  is  my  work 
and  it's  been  my  work  most  of  my  life.  And 
[63] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

I've  worked  for  this  war  because  it  was  the 
biggest  thing  in  sight.  I've  worked  for  it  with 
all  the  brains  I've  got,  just  as  I'd  have  worked 
for  two-hundred-egg  hens  if  I'd  been  a  chicken 
farmer.  I'm  not  a  sentimentalist.  Besides, 
war's  a  good  thing  occasionally.  I  believe  that 
absolutely.  It  quiets  down  your  socialists, 
cuts  down  your  superfluous  population,  in 
creases  the  moral  stamina  of  the  nation.  A 
lot  of  this  talk  of  war  being  hell  is  mush.  A 
few  people  get  shot  up,  but  no  one  forced  'em 
to  go.  It's  their  own  funeral. 

GROSVENOR 

No,  Conroy,  no.  I  don't  agree  with  you.  I 
may  possibly  not  lose  financially  by  this  war, 
but  nevertheless,  war  is  terrible,  awful.  The 
Christian  sense  balks  at  it.  Only,  I  feel  this 
way,  sometimes  when  the  honor  of  the  nation 
demands 

CONROY 
You  damn  bluff! 

GROSVENOR 

[Confronting  him. 

Conroy!    If  you  please! 
[64] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

[POLLEN,  a  tall,  thin  man  in  the  late 
forties,  enters  left.  He  has  an  impassive, 
intellectual  face,  interesting  though  un 
sympathetic.  His  manner  is  calm  and 
quietly  alert,  suggestive  of  reserve  power. 

POLLEN 

[Without  cordiality. 
Hello,  Conroy.    Hello,  Mr.  Grosvenor. 

GROSVENOR 

[Obsequious  at  once. 
Mr.  Pollen! 

CONROY 

I  was  just  going  to  send  a  note  round  to  you, 
Pollen.  Couldn't  get  you  on  the  phone.  What 
d'ye  think?  Yes  or  no? 

POLLEN 

[With  a  faint,  ironic  smile. 
Yes. 

GROSVENOR 

[Excitedly. 

What? 

[651 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

CONROY 

[Deliberately. 
Are  you  sure? 

GROSVENOR 

How  can  you  be  sure? 

POLLEN 

I  have  two  reasons.  One,  because  the  biggest 
banker  in  the  country  told  me  so.  That's 
unimportant.  He  may  have  been  lying.  The 
other,  because 

[He  smiles  quietly. 
my  papers  tell  me  so. 

[He  picks  up  one  of  the  papers  off  the 
floor. 

I  see  you  have  been  honoring  me  by  reading 
them.  Don't  my  papers  tell  you  that  there's 
going  to  be  war? 

CONROY 

No  one  pretends,  Pollen,  that  your  papers 
are  wonders  of  undecorated  truth. 

POLLEN 

Well,  this  time,  trust  them.     What  if  they 
[66] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

do  lie  about  facts  occasionally?  I  am  not 
interested  in  facts.  Facts  are  always  mislead 
ing.  But  I  know  something  about  psychology — 

CONROY 
And  you're  sure? 

GROSVENOR 

How  can  you  be  sure? 

POLLEN 

[Standing  at  the  window. 

Because  the  people  are  smelling  blood. 
That's  why.  And  now  they  won't  let  up  till 
they're  satisfied.  I've  watched  the  war-feeling 
growing  for  a  year.  I  tried  'em  out  on  headlines 
and  editorials,  first  little  mild  fellows  to  set 
them  thinking.  Then,  when  their  thoughts 
were  set  toward  trouble,  well,  we  increased  the 
percentage  of  oxygen. 

[Thoughtfully. 

It's  been  extremely  interesting.  The  psychol- 
ology  of  crowds  is  one  of  the  most  satisfying 
subjects  I  have  ever  studied.  Say,  fifteen, 
twenty  millions,  that  individually  hate  you,  but 
as  a  crowd,  a  body  of  readers,  unconsciously, 
[67] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

perhaps,  even  against  their  will,  do  exactly 
what  you  say.  We're  going  to  have  war,  be 
cause  the  people  have  now  got  to  a  state  in 
which  they  believe  that  nothing  short  of  war 
will  save  them  from  utter  ruin.  They  want 
war.  I  know  it.  The  circulation  of  my  papers 
has  mounted  by  the  hundred  thousand  daily. 
And  it  isn't  only  because  the  people  want  the 
news.  They  want  the  excitement.  It's  the 
gambling  instinct  in  them.  They've  seen  the 
ball  rolling,  and  they  can't  keep  out  of  the  game. 
The  very  bigness  of  the  thing  lures  them  on; 
the  bigger  the  issue,  the  bigger  the  fascination. 
The  millions  of  men  and  the  billions  of  dollars — 
that  lures  them.  And  the  awfulness — the  dead, 
the  wounded,  the  horrors,  that  lures  them  like 
nothing  else.  There  was  one  thing  missing 
until  tonight. 

GROSVENOR 

[Fascinated. 
What  was  that? 

POLLEN 

Fear.    They  were  too  cocksure.    But  I  gave 
them  fear  in  the  eight  o'clock  extra.    There  was 
a  rumor  that  the  rest  of  Europe  would  take  part. 
[68] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

GROSVENOR 

[With  a  malicious  glance. 
That  looks  well  for  your  business,  Conroy. 

CONROY 
I'm  not  complaining. 

POLLEN 

We're  playing  the  thing  up  in  the  late  editions 
all  over  the  country.  It'll  give  the  people  a 
queer  catch  in  the  throat.  They'll  see  the  pos 
sibility  of  a  fierce  struggle,  even  of  defeat. 
There'll  be  a  wonderful  wave  of  patriotism. 
You  watch.  The  people  '11  rise  right  up.  In 
twenty-four  hours  there  won't  be  a  man  in  the 
country  that'll  be  able  to  tell  black  from  white. 
All  they'll  see  will  be  red. 

[Pointing  out  of  the  window. 

Look  at  the  people  out  there,  standing  round. 
They  can't  stay  indoors.  They're  waiting  for 
the  extras.  They  won't  believe  'em  when  they 
read  'em,  but  they  can't  resist  the  excitement. 
Well,  the  bonfire's  ready.  Nothing  lacking  now 
except  the  match. 

[69] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

GROSVENOR 

[Striding  up  and  down. 

That's  all  very  well,  Mr.  Pollen.     But  sup 
pose  the  King  over  there  backs  down? 

POLLEN 
He  won't.    The  people  won't  let  him. 

CONROY 
His  people?    They  don't  want  war. 

POLLEN 

Not  his  people. 

[Pointing. 

Ours.    I  tell  you,  they've  smelt  blood. 

[From  a  distance,  faintly,  but  growing 
louder,  boys  are  heard  calling,  "Extra! 
Extra!" 

GROSVENOR 

[Excitedly. 
Extra!    I  wonder 

CONROY 

[Going  to  the  balcony,  and  calling  down. 
Here,  boy! 

[70] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

POLLEN 

[Laughing  softly. 
There  you  go. 

[He  presses  a  bell-button  on  the  wall, 
bends  over  the  writing-desk  and  writes 
a  line  which  he  encloses  in  an  envelope. 
You're  easy.    And  there  are  a  hundred  mil 
lion  like  you.     When  it  comes  to  war,  reason 
goes  to  sleep.    You  both  of  you  knew  perfectly 
well  that  I  had  absolutely  no  later  news  than 
you,  but  you  let  yourself  be  hypnotized  like 
children.    I  can  do  anything  I  want  with  you. 

[Enter  PAGE. 

PAGE 

Ring,  sir? 

POLLEN 

Take  this  to  the  news-stand  in  the  hall. 

PAGE 
Yes,  sir. 

[Exit. 

POLLEN 

[At  the  window  again. 

The  edition  is  going  like  hotcakes.    It  has 
[71] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

Maynard's  speech  in  it.    Did  either  of  you  hear 
it? 

CONROY 

Yes.    Damned  rot,  but  effective. 

POLLEN 
He  keeps  the  patriotism  hot. 

GROSVENOR 

[Proudly. 
I  trained  that  young  man  in  patriotism. 

[Enter  REPRESENTATIVE  MAYNARD, 
left;  a  young  man,  conceited  and  with 
a  swagger. 

MAYNARD 

Good  evening,  gentlemen. 

GROSVENOR 

Maynard! 

CONROY 
Great  boy! 

[They  all  clap  him  on  the  shoulder  and 
shake  his  hand. 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

POLLEN 

A  wonderful  speech,  my  boy.  We're  playing 
you  up  for  Governor  of  the  State  in  tonight's 
late  editions. 

MAYNARD 

I'll  sweep  the  State.  It's  patriotism,  it's 
the  flag,  that  gets  the  rubes.  You  should  have 
seen  the  whiskers  of  the  rural  sections  waving 
in  the  wind! 

[Shouts  of  newsboys  outside:  "Bulletin! 

War!  All  about  the  war!" 

CONROY 
Eh? 

MAYNARD 

[To  Pollen. 
Any  news  I've  missed? 

GROSVENOR 

How's  that?    They're  shouting  "War"  al 
ready. 

POLLEN 

[Calmly. 

I  told  'em  to.    That  was  the  message  I  sent 
[73] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

down.  That  shout  gave  you  a  thrill,  didn't  it? 
Well,  that  was  what  I  was  after.  If  I  don't 
hold  you  down  in  your  chair  you'll  rush  out  to 
buy  a  copy,  even  though  I  should  stand  here 
all  night,  shouting  in  your  ears  that  it's  a  fake. 

GROSVENOR 

[Shocked. 
You  are  inflaming  the  people! 

POLLEN 

Exactly.  There  have  been  people  unkind 
enough  to  assert  that  that  was  my  business. 
What's  yours,  Grosvenor? 

GROSVENOR 

Eh? 

[Hotly. 
What  d'ye  mean? 

CONROY 

You're  livin'  in  a  crystal  palace,  Grosvenor. 
Don't  you  go  and  forget  that. 

GROSVENOR 

[Indignantly. 
I 

[741 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

MAYNAKD 

[To  Grosvenor. 

I've  got  to  get  back  to  the  House,  Mr. 
Grosvenor.  I  just  came  over  to  see  if  you  had 
any — suggestions  ? 

GROSVENOR 

[Testily. 
No.    Only  keep  me  posted.    That's  all. 

[Expanding  again. 

And  remember,  our  honor  as  a  nation  is  at 
stake. 

MAYNARD 

They're  not  forgetting  our  honor  while  I'm 
on  the  floor. 

CONROY 

[Drawing    MAYNARD    aside    as    he    is 
about  to  go  out,  and  whispering. 

Need  any — ready  money? 

MAYNARD 

[Grinning. 

There  were  a  half  dozen  brethren  on  the 
[75] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

steps  as  I  came  out,  who  implied  they  were 
broke,  and  wouldn't  object  to  a  loan. 

CONROY 

[Taking  a  wallet  from  his  pocket  and 
handing  it  to  Maynard,  after  he  has  made 
sure  that  Grosvenor  and  Pollen  are  not 
looking. 

Here.    Help  the  poor  devils  along. 

MAYNARD 

Thanks.    I  will. 

[PAGE  enters  right9  with  a  card  on  a 
salver. 

PAGE 

Senator  Taney? 

MAYNARD 

No. 

[Taking  up  the  card. 
Who  wants  him? 

[He  whistles  softly. 

Harradan!    No,  son,  Senator  Taney  is  not 
here. 

[Exit  PAGE,  left. 
[76] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

GROSVENOR 

[Excitedly. 

Harradan's  smelling  a  rat.  He's  getting 
after  Taney! 

POLLEN 
[Quietly. 

Don't  you  worry.  I  can  finish  Harradan  up 
in  black-faced  letters  tomorrow  morning.  He'll 
think  he's  reading  his  own  tombstone. 

[TANEY  enters,  right. 

TANEY 

Hello,  Pollen.  Hello,  Conroy.  Well,  Gros- 
venor,  Cottrell  is  as  jumpy  as  you  are. 

GROSVENOR 

Have  you  seen  Harradan? 

TANEY 

Have  I  seen  Harradan?  I  should  say  I  had! 
He's  leading  the  peace  party  in  the  Senate. 
Fighting  like  a  fiend. 

[Clearing  his  throat. 
[77] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

That  man  has  nearly  cost  me  my  vocal  chords. 

[Ruefully. 

To  see  him  you  wouldn't  connect  him  with 
the  word  "peace." 

GROSVENOR 

He's  in  the  club.    He's  asked  for  you. 

CONROY 

Come  on,  Grosvenor.  This  is  no  place  for 
an  honest  business-man  to  be  found  conversing 
with  a  Senator. 

GROSVENOR 

[Nervously. 
Quite  right. 

TANEY 

[With  a  grin. 

Well,  Maynard,  they  don't  seem  to  think 
we're  safe  company  for  good  little  boys.  Sup 
pose  we  get  back  on  the  job? 

[They  move  toward  the  right.     POLLEN 
remains    standing,    calm    and    imper 
turbable,  by  the  window. 
[78] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

POLLEN 

You  people  act  as  though  you  had  a  bad 
conscience.  I  don't  think  I'd  let  a  mere  Senator 
interfere  with  the  freedom  of  my  movements, 
if  I  were  you. 

[SENATOR  HARRADAN  enters,  left.    He  is 
a  soldierly-looking  man  in  the  seventies. 

HARRADAN 

Good  evening,  gentlemen. 

[Pause. 
I  seem  to  have  tumbled  into  headquarters. 

TANEY 
Hello,  Harradan.    Looking  for  me? 

HARRADAN 

Yes. 

TANEY 

You  know  these  gentlemen? 

HARRADAN 

[Coolly. 

Sufficiently. 

[791 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

TANEY 

I'm  due  back  at  the  Senate.  I'll  talk  with 
you  till  the  cock  crows  after  we  adjourn.  Will 
that  do? 

HARRADAN 

I  should  like  to  talk  to  you  now. 

MAYNARD 

In  that  case,  I'll  go  back  to  the  House. 

GROSVENOR 

We  won't  intrude 

CONROY 

The  Senators  have  the  floor 

[They  are  about  to  beat  a  retreat 

HARRADAN 

I  wish  you'd  stay,  gentlemen. 

GROSVENOR 

[Looking  at  his  watchy  nervously. 

I'm  sorry  I 

[80] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

HARRADAN 

You'll  please  stay,  Mr.  Grosvenor.  You, 
too,  Mr.  Conroy. 

CONROY 
I'm  hanged  if  I'll  be  dictated  to. 

HARRADAN 

[Quietly. 

Do  as  you  please.  But  if  you  don't  stay, 
I'll  have  you  both  under  arrest  in  fifteen  min 
utes. 

CONROY 
[In  disgust. 
Oh,  come  off! 

GROSVENOR 

[Indignantly. 
What  do  you  mean,  Senator? 

HARRADAN 

[Fiercely. 

My  God,  man,  don't  make  me  mad.     I'm 
[81] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

twenty  years  older  than  you,  but  I  could  wipe 
the  floor  up  with  you  yet! 

GROSVENOR 

[Nervously  lights  a  cigar  and  during  the 
ensuing  scene  shifts  it  with  his  lips 
from  one  corner  of  his  mouth  to  the 
other  in  extreme  agitation. 

I  don't  know  what  you're  talking  about. 

MAYNARD 

Well,  you  don't  need  me. 

HARRADAN 
I  do. 

[MAYNARD  sits  down,  chewing  his  lips. 

POLLEN 
[With  an  amused,  patronizing  smile. 

You  haven't   expressed   yourself   about   me 
yet,  Senator.    Am  I  invited  to  the  party? 

HARRADAN 

You  may  stay  or  not  as  you  like. 
[82] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

POLLEN 

Thanks. 

[Deliberately. 

Do  you  know,  if  I  were  you,  I  don't  think 
I'd  detain  these  other  gentlemen  just  now. 

HARRADAN 

[Calmly. 

Go  to  the  Devil  to  whom  you  belong,  Mr. 
Pollen.  I'll  do  as  I  see  fit. 

POLLEN 

I  merely  advise  you.  It  isn't  always  con 
sidered  patriotic  when  the  people  want  war, 
for  a  Senator  to  want  peace  too  hard.  I  shall 
strive  to  point  that  out  to  twenty  million  people 
or  so  tomorrow  morning.  Make  your  will, 
Senator.  The  avalanche  is  coming.  You'll 
be  the  loneliest  voice  that  ever  came  out  of 
the  wilderness.  I  prophesy  your  swift  demise. 

HARRADAN 

This  is  wartime.     Most  of  us  are  ready  to 

die,  if  necessary.    Only  some  of  us  would  rather 

die  in  the  service  of  peace  than  in  the  service 

of  war.     You're  a  very  powerful  man,   Mr. 

[831 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

Pollen.  I  don't  doubt  at  all  that  you  can  kill 
me  if  you  put  your  mind  on  it.  You  have 
poisoned  the  whole  nation.  You  are  at  liberty 
to  kill  me  outright,  but  I  won't  let  you  slow- 
poison  me. 

[Turning. 

Taney,    I've  got  information    against  you, 
and  you've  got  to  listen.    You,  too,  Maynard. 

POLLEN 
[At  window. 

Am  I  out  in  the  cold  again?    I'm  listening 
intently. 

[He  goes  to  the  telephone  and  takes  up 
the  receiver. 

News-stand,  please. 

HAREADAN 

[Pleadingly. 
Taney 

POLLEN 

[At  the  telephone. 

That  you,  Burke?    Liven  up  your  youngsters 
outside.    They've  gone  to  sleep. 

[He  hangs  up  the  receiver ',  and  compla 
cently  lights  a  cigarette. 
[84J 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

HARRADAN 

We  were  friends  in  the  past,  Taney.  I  always 
knew  you  were  a  jingo,  but  I  thought  there  was 
hope.  I  came  here  because  I  still  thought  so. 
I  didn't  know  you  had  lined  up  with  the 
buzzards. 

TANEY 

See  here,  Harradan.  What  are  you  talking 
about  anyway? 

HARRADAN 

We  all  know  why  Grosvenor  and  Conroy  and 
their  kind  are  here.  And  a  few  of  us  have  been 
wondering  who  were  pulling  the  wires  for  them. 

GROSVENOR 

You've  got  me  mixed  up  with  somebody  else. 
I'm  here  attending  to — to  my  regular  business. 

CONROY 
[Bluntly. 

And  why  shouldn't  we  be  down  here?  I'm 
in  a  legitimate  business.  Guns.  And  I'm 
looking  after  my  interests.  I'm  not  declaring 
war.  But  if  there  is  a  war  I  don't  see  any 
reason  why  I  should  get  left  in  the  scramble. 
[85] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

HARRADAN 

War!  God,  do  you  know  what  the  word 
means?  Fve  been  in  two  wars.  I've  seen  and 
heard  and — smelt  battlefields.  And  I've  seen 
women  and  children  waiting  at  home — and 
waiting. 

POLLEN 

I'll  give  you  a  thousand  dollars,  Senator, 
for  a  thousand-word  article  on  the  horrors  of 
war.  You  can't  make  it  strong  enough. 

MAYNARD 

[Laughing. 
That's  one  on  you,  Senator. 

HARRADAN 

Taney,  you're  a  man  of  sense,  and  you  love 
your  country.  Now 

TANEY 

Good  night,  gentlemen,  I'm  going. 
[He  turns  toward  the  door. 

MAYNARD 

Same  here. 

[86] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

HARRADAN 

[Turning  swiftly. 

No,  you're  not.  I  want  a  list  of  names.  I 
want  a  list  of  all  the  people  who  are  paying 
you  to  shout  for  war.  Understand? 

[Fiercely. 

I  want  that  list  now. 

TANEY 
[Coolly. 

Hell  may  grow  buttercups,  Harradan.  But 
you  don't  get  any  names  out  o'  me. 

[Quickly. 

Besides,  I  ain't  got  any  to  give.  And  I'll 
have  you  up  for  defamation  of  character  for 
saying  that  there's  anybody  can  buy  me! 

HARRADAN 

[After  a  pause,  quietly. 

Taney,  you've  always  been  a  business-man. 
You  look  at  things  just  one  way.  You  aren't 
bothered  much  by  imagination.  Perhaps  you 
don't  know  what  you're  doing.  War,  man! 
Dead  men  by  thousands,  wounded  men  shriek- 
[87] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

ing  for  some  one  to  put  them  out  of  their  misery, 
fire,  ruin,  starvation!  For  what  good,  for  what 
good,  ever? 

POLLEN 

I  raise  my  offer,  Senator.  Make  it  two  thou 
sand. 

TANEY 

You  ought  to  go  into  vaudeville,  Senator. 
Subject,  "The  Horrors  of  War." 

[The  others  laugh. 

HARRADAN 

God,  the  country  stands  on  the  verge  of 
the  greatest  calamity  in  its  history  and  you 
can't  do  anything  but  laugh! 

MAYNARD 

You're  an  inspiration,  Senator.  Just  like 
that  dago  or  Dutchman  or  whoever  he  was  who 
tried  to  smash  up  the  windmills.  But  you 
haven't  a  sense  of  humor. 

HARRADAN 

[With  quiet  dignity. 

No.     My  sense  of  humor  died  during  our 
[88] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

last  war.  Will  you  give  me  those  names  that 
are  going  to  help  me  kill  this  satanie  craving 
for  war?  Are  you? 

MAYNARD 

You're  talking  through  your  hat,  Senator. 
I  don't  know  anything  about  any  names. 

HARRADAN 

Very  well. 

[Turning  to  go. 

I  have  five  names.  They'll  do  until  to 
morrow.  God  willing,  they'll  bring  Congress 
back  to  its  senses.  I  thank  my  God  that  I 
found  you  buzzards  out  in  time.  I'll  fling  your 
names  across  the  Senate  tonight — yours,  Con- 
roy,  and  yours,  Grosvenor,  and  yours,  Taney, 
and  yours,  Pollen,  and  yours,  Maynard!  By 
Heaven,  the  country  shall  hear  them  from  end 
to  end.  And  there'll  be  less  talk  of  war  then! 
You  and  your  kind  are  stirring  up  the  millions 
to  dream  of  war,  to  shout  about  defending  our 
national  honor — What  honor  is  there  in  mur 
der? — stirring  their  blood  with  the  fifes  and 
drums  of  your  rhetoric!  Through  your  news 
papers,  you  are  turning  the  thoughts  of  our 
children  to  war,  our  children  who  should  be  to 
[89] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

us  the  symbol  of  a  nobler,  purer  future  rising 
out  of  the  sordid  wreckage  of  the  present — you 
make  them  drunk  with  your  cant  about  na 
tional  glory — glory! — until  their  innocent  faces 
glow  feverishly  up  to  you,  hungry  for  battle. 
You  will  not  rest  until  you  hear  the  terrible 
savage  cry  from  their  lips — War,  war!  You 
shall  not  hear  it  if  I  can  prevent  it !  I  am  going 
to  the  Senate  now.  In  fifteen  minutes  your 
names  shall  be  a  byword  and  a  hissing  among 
the  nations.  The  best  you  can  do  is  to  take 
your  vile  guns  and  turn  them  on  yourselves! 

[A  great  shout  is  heard  outside.  Then 
the  fifes  and  drums  again.  The  PAGE 
enters  excitedly. 

PAGE 
Message  for  Senator  Taney. 

TANEY 

Here,  quick. 

[He  takes  the  paper. 

Gentlemen,  listen  to  this  from  the  Iberian 

Foreign  Office  to  the  Associated  Press:  "The 

King  sent  for  the  Ambassador  of  the  Republic 

this  afternoon  and  outlined  a  plan  that  would 

[90] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

satisfy  the  royal  government.  The  Ambassador 
regretted  that  he  was  unable  to  consider  any 
compromise.  The  King  replied  that  he  could 
have  nothing  further  to  say  in  the  matter." 

[GROSVENOR  and  the  others  jump  to 
their  feet  with  excited  exclamations. 

HARRADAN 

[Quickly. 

The  thing's  not  true.  There's  a  mistake 
somewhere.  It  doesn't  fit  in  with  what  went 
before. 

MAYNARD 

Fit  in?  Who  cares?  It's  a  challenge! 
They've  insulted  us! 

GROSVENOR 

They've  challenged  our  national  honor! 

CONROY 
Now,  by  God,  they  can  pay! 

HARRADAN 

[Rushing  to  the  telephone. 
Give  me  the  Department  of  State. 

[There  are  more  shouts  outside  and  more 
[91] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

bands.  Suddenly  the  door,  left,  is  burst 
open  by  a  crowd  of  men,  some  in  dress 
clothes,  some  in  uniform,  shouting 
"War!" 

TANEY 

For  God's  sake,  what's  up? 

AN   OFFICER 

[Delightedly. 
We're  off! 

GROSVENOR 

What  d'ye  mean? 

A   CIVILIAN 

They've  declared  war! 

HARRADAN 

[Turning % 
Who  has? 

OFFICER 

Congress! 

TANEY 

Senator,  you're  left. 

[92] 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

HARRADAN 

[With  a  sob. 
God!    You  buzzard!    You  buzzard! 

[A  band  in  the  distance  strikes  up  the 
national  anthem.  GROSVENOR,  CONROY, 

POLLEN,    TANEY    and    MAYNARD    Stand. 

HARRADAN  sinks  into  a  chair. 

MAYNARD 

Senator,  it's  the  national  anthem.     Haven't 
you  got  any  patriotism? 

[GROSVENOR  opens  the  windows.  The 
notes  of  the  anthem  are  drowned  out  by 
shouts  and  cries  and  the  calls  of  news 
boys. 

VOICES   OF   THE   CROWD 

War!    War! 

[The  anthem  sounds  loud  and  dear, 
but  HARRADAN  buries  his  face  in  his 
hands.  The  stage  is  gradually  dark 
ened.  The  music  grows  fainter  as  if 
the  band  were  marching  away;  and 
now  and  then  the  shouts  of  the  crowd 
make  themselves  heard  above  it.  These 
subside,  too,  into  a  low,  muffled  roar, 
sullen  and  ominous. 
[93] 


SCENE  III 

[The  stage  grows  light  again.  In  the  foreground, 
a  black  group  of  trees  may  be  dimly  discerned; 
beyond  are  indistinct  hills  and  the  last  glow  of 
a  bloody  sunset.  Smoke  and  dust  blacken  the 
scene.  Even  before  the  cloud  breaks  to  reveal 
the  valley  for  a  moment,  the  low  roar  is  sud 
denly  broken  by  the  rattle  of  musketry,  followed 
by  the  booming  of  artillery  and  the  drumming 
sound  of  the  machine  guns.  A  trumpet  sounds 
the  charge.  The  dust  cloud  breaks.  A  thickly 
crowded  mass  of  men  is  vaguely  seen  through 
the  twilight  charging  with  cries  and  curses.  The 
rear  ranks  press  over  the  fallen,  waver,  shout  and 
fall  back.  The  rattle  of  musketry  continues.  The 
men  return  to  the  charge,  are  repulsed  once  more 
with  awful  slaughter  and  again  return.  The 
dust  cloud  passes  over  the  scene.  It  is  night  now. 
The  wounded  are  tossing  on  the  field,  shrieking. 
Ghouls  prowl  about.  A  flock  of  buzzards  flies 
across  the  moon.  In  the  distance  is  heard  a  shout 
of  victory,  then  the  national  anthem  once  more, 
played  by  a  trumpeter.  A  thousand  voices  seem 
[941 


MAKERS  OF  MADNESS 

to  rise  out  of  the  ground,  moaning,  drowning  out 
the  music.  Then  a  woman's  voice,  clear  and  dis 
tinct. 

VOICE 

How  long,  O  Lord?    How  long? 

[Cries  and  waitings  answer  the  cry. 
Silence.  Again  the  bugle,  drowned  out 
by  cries,  cries,  cries. 

CURTAIN 


95] 


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won  wide  recognition  for  her  writing  in  new  and  free  forms  of  poetical 
expression.  Miss  Lowell's  present  volume  of  poems,  "Sword  Blades 
and  Poppy  Seed,"  is  an  unusual  book.  It  contains  much  perhaps 
that  will  arouse  criticism,  but  it  is  a  new  note  in  American  poetry.  Miss 
Lowell  has  broken  away  from  academic  traditions  and  written,  out  of 
her  own  time,  real  singing  poetry,  free,  full  of  new  effects  and  sub 
tleties. 


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NEW  POEMS  AND  PLAYS 


Earth  Triumphant  and  Other  Tales 

in  Verse 

BY  CONRAD  AIKEN 

Cloth,  ismo,  $1.25  net 

Conrad  Aiken  is  one  of  the  first  American  writers  to  choose 
to  tell  his  stories  in  verse.  Helston,  Masefield,  and  other  Euro 
peans  have  been  doing  it  with  marked  success,  but  hitherto  this 
country  has  had  no  notable  representative  in  this  line  of  endeavor. 
Though  Mr.  Aiken  has  been  writing  for  a  number  of  years,  Earth 
Triumphant  and  Other  Tales  in  Verse  is  his  first  published  book. 
In  it  are  contained,  in  addition  to  the  several  narratives  of  mod 
ern  life,  a  number  of  shorter  lyrics.  It  is  a  volume  distinguished 
by  originality  and  power. 

Van  Zorn  :  A  Comedy  in  Three  Acts 
BY  EDWIN  A.   ROBINSON 

Cloth,  i2tno,  $f.2j  net 

This  play  makes  delightful  reading  and  introduces  in  the  per 
son  of  its  author  a  playwright  of  considerable  promise.  Mr. 
Robinson  tells  an  interesting  story,  one  which  by  a  clever  ar 
rangement  of  incident  and  skillful  characterization  arouses 
strongly  the  reader's  curiosity  and  keeps  it  unsatisfied  to  the 
end.  The  dialogue  is  bright  and  the  construction  of  the  plot 
shows  the  work  of  one  well  versed  in  the  technique  of  the  drama. 


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A   LIST  OF  PLAYS 

Leonid  Andreyev's  Anathema £1.25  net 

Clyde  Fitch's  The  Climbers -75  net 

Girl  with  the  Green  Eyes 1.25  net 

Her  Own  Way -75  net 

Stubbornness  of  Geraldine -75  net 

The  Truth 75  net 

Hermann  Hagedorn's  Makers  of  Madness     .    .    .  i.oonet 

Thomas  Hardy's  The  Dynasts.    3  Parts.    Each     .  1.50  net 

Henry  Arthur  Jones's 

Whitewashing  of  Julia .75  net 

Saints  and  Sinners 75  net 

The  Crusaders -75 ne* 

Michael  and  His  Lost  Angel .75  net 

Jack  London's  Scorn  of  Women 1.25  net 

Theft 1.25  net 

Mackaye's  Jean  D'Arc 1.25  net 

Sappho  and  Phaon i  25  net 

Fenris  the  Wolf 1.25  net 

Mater 1.25  net 

Canterbury  Pilgrims 1.25  net 

The  Scarecrow 1.25  net 

A  Garland  to  Sylvia 1.25  net 

John  Masefield's  The  Tragedy  of  Pompey      .    .    .  1.25  net 

Philip  the  King 1.25  net 

William  Vaughn  Moody's 

The  Faith  Healer 1.25  net 

Stephen  Phillip's  Ulysses 1.25  net 

The  Sin  of  David 1.25  net 

Nero 1.25  net 

Pietro  of  Siena i.oonet 

Phillips  and  Carr.    Faust 1.25  net 

Edward  Sheldon's  The  Nigger 1.25  net 

Romance 1.25  net 

Katrina  Trask's  In  the  Vanguard 1.25  net 

Rabindranath  Tagore's  The  Post  Office     .    .    .    .  i.oo  net 

Chitra i.oonet 

The  King  of  the  Dark  Chamber 1.25  net 

Edwin  A.  Robinson's  Van  Zorn 1.25  net 

Sarah  King  Wiley's  Coming  of  Philibcrt    ....  1.25  net 

Alcestis 75net 

Yeats'  Poems  and  Plays,  Vol.  II,  Revised  Edition   .  2.00  net 

Hour  Glass  (and  others) 1.25  net 

The  Green  Helmet  and  Other  Poems    ....  1.25  net 

Yeats  and  Lady  Gregory's  Unicorn  from  the  Stars  1.50  net 

Israel  Zangwill's  The  Melting  Pot,  New  Edition    .  1.25  net 

The  War  God 1.25  net 

The  Next  Religion 1.25  net 

Plaster  Saints 1.25  net 


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